First Lady Monica Geingos has identified several underlying factors as challenges in securing funds for reproductive health programmes. She says under funding of such programmes and closing the gender-inequality gap, remain major stumbling blocks in the removal of social barriers. Geingos shared these views during a panel discussion on sexual and reproductive health on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. She noted that these health aspects have been adopted as essential human rights, especially for the growth of the girl-child in Africa. However, under funding and structural barriers prevent this from happening, further delaying poverty-eradication efforts. The discussion was part of a wider campaign in improving adolescent empowerment in Africa. The First Lady proposed the inclusion of funding for sexual and reproductive health programmes in national health budgets. She identified harmful customs and cultural norms across Africa as setbacks in ensuring reproductive health on the continent. These include a divide in social behaviour between children from rural and those from urban environments. Geingos called for a review of some customs, alongside behavioural change.